Dental mirror



Ap 1933. D. 1.. FELTHAM DENTAL MIRROR Filed March 14, 1931 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 I TFS DOUGLAS L; FELTHAM, OF TOLEDO, OHIO DENTAL MIBRQR Application filed March 14, 1931. Serial No. 522,563.

accordance with the present invention, how-- ever, the reflecting surface and the back in which it is mounted are the same as in the ordinary dental mirror, but the handle, by which the mirror is'supported, has a longitudinal passageway therethrough which may be connected with a source of compressed air so that a stream of air may be blown against the reflecting surface, thus carrying away the moisture which would otherwise collect there- The character of the invention will be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention; s Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof and Figure 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In accordance with my invention, the handle 5 is tubular and is formed'at its inner end with an offset arm 6 which has a threaded socket 7 for receiving the shank 8 of a dental mirror 9. The tubular handle 5 also has a nozzle 10 integrally or otherwise connected to its inner end in alignment with the passageway through the handle. This nozzle has a discharge orifice 11 which is preferably of smaller diameter than the passageway through the handle. The mirror 9 when mounted in the socket 7, is so disposed that its reflecting surface is in the path of a stream of air discharged from the nozzle 10. The outer end of the handle 5 is adapted to be connected to a hose 12 leading from a suitable source of compressed air. Provision may also be made for injecting a few drops of water into the air stream, in order to wash the mirror, if it becomes spattered with blood.

In practice, a number of interchangeable mirrors will be provided so that after treating one patient, a clean sterilized mirror may be used with the same handle for the next patient. While the mirror is being used in the patients mouth, a stream of air will be continuously blown against the reflecting surface of the mirror and will dissipate all moisture from the patients breath and prevent the mirror at all times from becoming clouded.

Thus the dentist may work without the interruptions occasioned by removing steam or moisture from the reflecting surface.

While I have described the invention as associated with a dental mirror, it is to be understood that this term is used as defining 5 the equivalent of any mirror used by dentists, physicians or surgeons in the mouth, throat or other parts of the body where it may become covered with condensed moisture. It is also to be understood that the details of construction may be modified within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: V Y

1. The combination of a compressed air supply conduit with an arm ofiset therefrom 1 and formed with'a socket, and a mirror having a. shank detachably secured in said socket with the reflecting surface of the mirror spaced fromthe outlet end of said conduit and disposed across the path of air blown through said conduit.

2. The combination of a compressed air supply conduit formed with a socket and constituting a handle, and a mirror having a shank detachably secured in said socket, said conduit being in alinement with a point on the surface of the mirror and having an outlet port at a distance from the face of the mirror and so disposed that air blown therefrom will strike said face at an angle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

DOUGLAS L. FELTHAM. 95 

